Signal lamp for automotive vehicles



Sept. 17, 1957 J. R. HOLLINS SIGNAL LAMP FOR AUTOMOTIVE VEHICLES FiledJuly 20, 1955 IN V EN TOR.

V JESSE R. HOLLINS ATTORNEY Unite rates aterrt Gfifice kll SIGNAL LAMPFOR AUTOMOTIVE VEHICLES Jesse R. Hollins, Brooklyn, N. Y.

Application July 20, 1955, Serial No. 523,206

Claims. (Cl. 240-822) This invention relates to lamps for automotivevehicles and, more particularly, to an improved and simplified doubleaspect signal or marker lamp requiring only a single bulb forillumination of both aspects.

Double aspect signal or marker lamps, as hitherto constructed for, byway of example, providing signal indications both forwardly andrearwardly of a vehicle have essentially comprised two single lamp unitsor compartments with each lamp unit having a separate lamp bulb therein.This has resulted in a rather bulky and thick lamp casing to accommodatethe two bulbs and their sockets, and to provide clearance for changingthe bulbs. In addition, the construction has been relatively heavy andexpensive.

One reason for the bulky construction of present lamps is that it hasnot been considered possible to provide sufficient space therein for alamp bulb of high enough candle power to assure adequate illumination ofboth aspects. Consequently, resort has been had to two smaller lampseach of suflicient candle power to adequately illuminate one aspect.

In accordance with the present invention, a double aspect signal lamp isprovided having novel constructional aspects permitting theinterchangeable mounting of a single lamp of suflicient candle-power toadequately illuminate both aspects, the lamp having overall dimensionsand manufacturing costs of the order of those of a single aspect lamp.

More specifically, the lamp comprises a pair of identical circular metalbaffle plates superposed on each other and formed with peripheralflanges to which a relatively short cylindrical outer casing is welded.These baflie plates have matching lamp bulb shaped cutouts and threadedbosses receiving bolts holding the inwardly projecting rims of the twolenses against sealing gaskets engaging the flat outer surfaces of thebaffle plates.

The lamp socket is formed of two identical mating sections eachcomprising a substantially semi-cylindrical central portion terminatingin co-planar side flanges. These sections are arranged in facingrelation to enclose the base portion of the baflie plate openings withthe side flanges engaging the bafiie plates. The battle plates, spacingthe two sections from each other, form diametrically opposite lead ingrooves for the pins on the lamp base, and the socket sections areformed with grooves to complete a bayonet type lamp base lock.

The flanges of the socket sections and the baflie plates are formed withcorrespondingly located rivet holes for securing the sections inposition. However, one corner of one flange of each section is cut awayto expose a rivet hole in the baflie plates. Thus, one securing rivet ofeach section is directly engaged with a baffle plate rather than withthe opposite socket section (when the rivets are peened) therebydirectly grounding each socket section to a baflie plate.

For an understanding of the invention principles, reference is made tothe following description of a typical embodiment thereof as illustratedin the accompanying drawing. In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is an outside front elevation view of a lamp embodying theinvention;

Fig. 2 is a similar view with the lenses removed;

Fig. 3 is an axial sectional view of the lamp; and

Fig. 4 is a sectional view on the line 44 of Fig. 2.

Referring to the drawing, the lamp 1!) comprises a pair of identicalcircular metal baffle plates 20 having axially extending peripheralflanges 21, and formed with oifset bosses 22 having threaded openings23. Bafile plates 20 are formed with mating large lamp bulb shapedopenings 25 extending inwardly from the lower edges thereof.

Plates 20 are superposed with their flanges extending in oppositedirections, and an axially short cylindrical outer casing member 15 istelescoped over flanges 21 and welded thereto. The lower edge of casingmember 15 has an opening 16 aligned radially with openings 25.

A base member 30 has an .arcuate flange portion 31 spot welded to member15 and formed with an offset 32 in which is secured a hollow threadedmounting bolt or stud 33 arranged to receive washers 34 and a nut 35 formounting lamp 10 on a fender or other supporting surface.

The lamp is enclosed by lenses 35 having holes re ceiving bolts 37threaded into openings 23 in plates 20. Lenses 35 have inturnedperipheral flanges seated against gaskets 11, of cork or the like,engaging baflle plates 20. At flange 31, which is wider than member $15,lenses 35 are enlarged, as at 38 to make a smooth juncture with mountingmember 30.

The lamp socket is formed by two identical socket sections 49, of brassor similar conductive metal. Each section 40 includes a central,substantially semi-cylindrical portion 41 from which project coplanarside flanges 42 and 43. For a purpose to be described, side flanges 43have their upper corners cut away as at 44. Each side flange 42 isformed with two rivet holes alignable with correspondingly located holesin baflie plates 29. Each side flange 43 has a single hole alignablewith the lower hole in the flange 42 of the other socket section, theupper hole in such other sect-ion being opposite cutout 44.

Socket sections 40 are assembled in facing relation with their sideflanges 42, 43 engaging the outer surfaces of baffle plates 20. In thisposition, rivets 46 and 47 are used to assemble the socket sections inposition. The rivets 46 are peened over at each end against a section40. However, each rivet 47 is located at a cutout 44 so that one end ofthe rivet en ages a flange 42 of one section 40 and the other end ofeach rivet 47 is peened against a baffle plate 20. This forms aneifective grounding connection between each section 4%) and a plate 20,particularly when the bafiie plates 20 are painted or lacquered.

Referring to Fig. 4, it will be noted that baifle plates 20 space thesocket sections 49 from each other forming grooves 45 for pins 51 on thebase 552 of a lamp bulb 50. Grooves 45 connect with lateral slots 43 insections 40 to provide the bayonet slots for the lamp base pins 51.

The socket assembly is completed by the usual insulated wire 53 having acontact head 54 on the upper side of a dielectric Washer 56, a coilspring 57 embracing wire 53 beneath washer 56. Wire 53 is drawn throughopening 16 and the passage through hollow stud 33.

Lamp 59 is readily inserted in place by putting the lamp in openings 25,inserting base 52 into socket 4il-49 with pins 51 in grooves 45,pressing the lamp downwardly, and then rotating the lamp to move pins 51into slots 48, this action compressing spring 57.

While a specific embodiment of the invention has been shown anddescribed in detail to illustrate the application and extending throughsaid baflle means; at least one fastening means engaged with eachsection being peened into direct mechanical contact with said bafilemeans.

2. An automotive vehicle lamp comprising, in combination, a pair ofidentical mating lamp socket sections each comprising a substantiallysemi-cylindrical central portion having substantially coplanar sideflanges extending therefrom, a corresponding flange of each sectionbeing cut away at a corner; metal baffle means interposed between facingflanges of the two sections and having a lamp bulb receiving openingaligned with such central portions; aligned rivet receiving holes formedin said flanges and said baffle means, one rivet hole in one flange ofeach section being opposite. the cutaway corner of the other flange ofthe other section; and rivets inserted through said aligned holes andheaded over at each end, one rivet in each section being headed againstsaid baflle means at a cutaway corner of a flange.

3. An automotive vehicle lamp comprising, in combination, a pair ofidentical mating lamp socket sections 'each comprising a substantiallysemi-cylindrical central portion having substantially coplanar sideflanges extending therefrom; metal baffle means interposed betweenfacing flanges of the two sections and having a lamp bulb receivingopening aligned with such central portions; fastening meansinterconnecting said sections and extending through said baflle means;the width of the opening in said baflietmeans being greater than thediameter of said central portions so that said baffle means cooperateswith said flanges to provide grooves for the pins of a bayonettype lampbulb base; and lateral slots in each section communicating with saidgrooves to receive the lamp bulb base pins upon rotation of the lamp. j

4. A lamp as claimed in claim 3 in which said baflle means comprises apair of superposed circular metal plates having mating lampbulb openingsand each having an axially extending peripheral flange; a cylindricalcasing element secured to said peripheral flanges; and a pair oftranslucent lenses secured to said circular plates and ex tending intosaid casing element.

5. A lamp as claimed in claim 4 in which a corresponding flange of eachsection is cut away at a corner; aligned rivet receiving holes formed insaid flanges and said baflle means; one rivet hole in one flange of eachsection being opposite the cutaway corner of the other flange of theother section; and rivets inserted through said aligned holes and headedover at each end, one rivet in each section being headed against saidbaflie means at a cutaway corner of a flange.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,475,443 Mason Nov. 27, 1923 1,895,455 Eberling Jan. 31, 1933 2,058,546Haines Oct. 27, 1936 2,637,804 Hollins May 5, 1953

